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| Performance of Handel’s Messiah |
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On the evening of Saturday, December 11th, the beautiful space of the former Saint Bridget’s church in Ottawa was filled with the glorious harmonies of Handel’s Messiah, including “O Thou that Tellest,” “The Glory of the Lord,” and, not least, the rousing “Halleluiah Chorus.” Handel’s Messiah, which follows the life of Christ, has become a Christmas classic. Every year, the Sacred Music Society, in conjunction with Our Lady Seat of Wisdom’s Schola and the Sparrows children’s choir, presents a rendition of the Messiah, conducted by Maestro Uwe Liefländer. It is hard to believe that it was but three years ago that Maestro Liefländer began the formal music program at OLSWA, part of which includes the Schola, open to students, staff and members of the larger community. The Schola now has a wide repertoire, including Mozart, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Schubert and other greats, all of which stretch the talents, skills (and range!) of the singers to the utmost. For large events, such as the Messiah, Maestro’s combined choirs become a booming hundred-plus voice ensemble, complete with orchestra. Words cannot begin to describe the ineffable beauty of the music that resounded through that once sacred space, not least because the singers sang for the glory of God, especially the children, whose voices must move the hearts even of the angels. What a welcome for the Christ child! Ah, how true it is, in the Church’s own words from Vatican II, that her “musical tradition…is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.” One can only appreciate the truth of this remarkable statement by hearing for oneself the magnificence of the Church’s music, or, better yet, singing it. Christus natus est, alleluia, and a blessed and holy Christmas to all!
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